Irish constitutional change may threaten press freedom, says NUJ

The Irish section of the National Union of Journalists has registered its concern about a proposed amendment to the Irish constitution, viewing it as a potential threat to press freedom.

The 30th amendment gives powers to the Oireachtais (Ireland's parliament) to institute inquiries into matters of public importance.

These inquiries are supposed to "balance the rights of the individual with the public interest."

But that has alarmed some journalists who are worried that they may come under pressure to identify confidential sources or to hand over confidential documents.

So Séamus Dooley, the NUJ's Irish secretary, has written to the chairman of the referendum commission seeking clarification of the amendment's implications for journalists.

Dooley said the union "would be concerned at the prospect of the Oireachtais undermining the significant advances made in relation to the rights of journalists to protect confidential information in the public interest."

Ireland's supreme court has previously vindicated the right of journalists to protect confidential sources.

Dooley has asked a series of questions to discover the intentions of the Oireachtais, both houses of which have blessed the amendment.

He is unlikely to get a reply before the people vote on the matter because the referendum takes place on Thursday, the same day as the presidential election.

But Dooley said: "In the event that the 30th amendment is accepted by the electorate we will be seeking specific commitments from government in relation to the protection of confidential journalistic sources of information.

"The enabling bill could provide such protection but ultimately it is for the courts to vindicate the Constitutional rights of every citizen."